DENVER, Colo. -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team fell to Denver 3-1 on Saturday night in the conclusion of the two-game series. Bret Tyler (Maynard, Mass.) scored Maine's lone goal in the first period on the power play. The Black Bears fall to 0-2 on the season, while Denver improves to 2-0.
Denver took a 1-0 lead when Brock Trotter broke in alone and beat Maine's Ben Bishop (Des Peres, Mo.) just six seconds into the game. The goal was reviewed, but in the end called good.
Denver then took two quick penalties giving the Black Bears a five-on-three advantage and Maine responded. Billy Ryan (Milton, Mass.) found Matt Duffy (Windham, Maine) who fed Bret Tyler (Maynard, Mass.) on the blueline. Tyler beat DU goalie Peter Mannino with a shot from the blueline to knot the game at 1-1 3:14 into the first period.
The Pioneers answered back at 13:34 when Jesse Martin scored his first career goal from Tyler Ruegsegger and Patrick Mullen.
With just under 14 minutes remaining in the second period, Denver's Tom May had a breakaway, but Bishop made an outstanding stop to keep the deficit at just one goal for the Black Bears.
The Pioneers added to their lead at 18:37 of the second frame when Anthony Maiani beat Bishop on a shot from his left that found the top of the net. The Pioneers took the 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
Billy Ryan (Milton, Mass.) had a great chance to cut into the Denver lead on the power play early in the third period, but was stopped by Mannino. The Black Bears put steady pressure on the Pioneers in the third period, but were unable to beat Mannino.
Bishop finished with 27 saves in the game.
The Black Bears return to action on Friday, Oct. 19 when they host Mercyhurst at 7 PM at Alfond Arena in Orono, Maine.